Dell Studio 14z hits the review bench, disc drive stays behind with few regrets

While ASUS is busy adding an optical drive to its Eee PC line, Dell is diving into the low-priced, optical-free, thin-and-light category with its new Studio 14z portable. The folks at Laptop Mag have taken the new laptop for a spin, and seem to like what they see. While its 4.4 pound weight isn't quite best in class, the 14z outperforms most of its brethren thanks to GeForce 9400M graphics and a "real" Core 2 Duo processor -- none of that weak sauce CULV stuff. The battery life isn't bad either, and for $750 it's easy on the wallet. You just have to ask yourself: can you live without instant access on-the-go to your limited edition set of Billy Joel hits on Compact Disc?

[BoomHeadshot Posted Jul 26th 2009 12:21PM]

So it has a graphics card allowing it to play games, but no optical drive on which to play them. I guess its downloadable content for this one.

[icase81 Posted Jul 26th 2009 12:34PM]

SSSTEEEAAAMMM

[JeremyBenthem Posted Jul 26th 2009 1:01PM]

steam powered

[urza9814 Posted Jul 26th 2009 1:14PM]

...or The Pirate Bay ;)

[Inect Posted Jul 26th 2009 1:15PM]

You could use a external drive and no DVD cracks.

[(Unverified) Posted Jul 26th 2009 1:01PM]

I have this laptop, it's fantastic. I don't use optical drives anyway.

[(Unverified) Posted Jul 26th 2009 1:39PM]

As usual for Dell recently, no sign of this laptop coming to Europe any time soon...

[3pxshift Posted Jul 26th 2009 2:11PM]

It has a 1.22" height in the back.

make it less than 1" ALL the way around and THEN you can call it "thin".

[BOGRASH Posted Jul 26th 2009 2:24PM]

slim it, lighten the weight and bring it to the uk at a competitive price NOW

[Kelly S Posted Jul 26th 2009 2:42PM]

That thing looks like a hinged turd.

Dell blows. It will need repair in a month.

[BOGRASH Posted Jul 26th 2009 7:24PM]

you EAT turds judging by the stench of your diatribe

[(Unverified) Posted Jul 26th 2009 2:51PM]

I don't understand why people want to have a thin laptop. If it's light and it doesn't overheat, then what's the problem with an extra .22"? Is your apartment so small that less than a quarter of an inch makes a difference? Honestly, I'm glad I can set this thing down on my crotch without thinking about becoming sterile. Something you can't do with a mac.

[BOGRASH Posted Jul 26th 2009 7:23PM]

the whole point of a laptop is portability you frozen douchecake

[(Unverified) Posted Jul 26th 2009 3:34PM]

or u can just buy a refurbed macbook hmmm...

[(Unverified) Posted Jul 26th 2009 6:25PM]

or a refurbed pc hmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmm...

[Peter F Posted Jul 26th 2009 7:35PM]

You can get this from the Dell Outlet for dirt cheap with the 15% off coupon going around now. They have many previously ordered new systems that have been ordered and canceled and never used before.

[Quikboy Posted Jul 26th 2009 10:55PM]

Why bother getting a Mac, when you can get a PC?

[blairy Posted Jul 27th 2009 10:38AM]

white macbook is $250 more, optical drive, and same weight. $150 more than that gets you a base model macbook pro. come on now. dell? please.

[(Unverified) Posted Jul 31st 2009 9:29PM]

I ordered my 14z on June 30, was given July 13 as the delivery date, and it is now July 31 and no system. In response to various e-mail messages (good luck finding out how to do that), I was told August 6 or earlier, but no reply to more recent e-mails and certainly no response on the Order Status page, which simply says "not available" at this time. I am more than a little frustrated and will try the telephone route, as we are going out of town next week. If it arrives during that time, it will be returned, and I will certainly demand a refund and go buy a Toshiba, Lenovo or HP.

[(Unverified) Posted Aug 8th 2009 7:30PM]

Well, wonder of wonders, I returned home on Friday to receive a msg that my 14z will arrive by courier within three to five working days. Upon phoning Purolator, that was translated into sometime between Wednesday, Aug 12 and Friday, Aug 14. Keeping my fingers crossed...

[(Unverified) Posted Aug 14th 2009 12:12AM]

Got it Aug 12: looks good; time will tell. Have to upload all the software and get used to Vista first... Has anyone else had similar delays in delivery?